Congratulations to Anne Cressin, who was announced as the 2026 Volunteer of the Year at the 2026 Day of Caring Kickoff Breakfast ceremony alongside the 2026 Caring for Community Awards.
Anne Cressin has been a longtime volunteer at The Haven since they opened in 2010, volunteering for a collective estimate of more than 250 hours. Deborah Poulin, Community Engagement Coordinator at The Haven, wanted to recognize Anne for being “a constant source of dedication, compassion, and reliability.”
For more than a decade and a half, Anne has volunteered multiple times a week and has become integral to daily operations, taking the lead in organizing and sorting donations including hygiene products, clothing, tents, backpacks, and other essentials, earning the title Miss Anne Queen of Organization. “Anne’s impact on The Haven is immeasurable,” shared Deborah. “Beyond her behind-the-scenes work, Anne has built meaningful relationships with guests, who love and respect her” which Deborah says has helped shaped The Haven’s welcoming environment. She also shared that despite having foot surgery earlier this year, Anne returned to volunteering in a special boot within 10 days. “Her service has strengthened the organization and community for many years.”
Anne spoke about being recognized as the 2026 Volunteer of the Year for her service at The Haven: “Volunteering at The Haven allows for me to not only use my best skills, but to work with and learn from people from all walks of life. It is truly an honor to have been chosen for this award; to represent the many individuals who give of their time and talents as we work together, caring for our community in so many ways.”
To further celebrate the service and positive impact the Volunteer of the Year has made, this year’s award was accompanied by a $1,000 cash contribution, split between the awardee and their nominating organization with both Anne and The Haven receiving $500.
Congratulations to Anne and to The Haven, and thank you to all the nonprofits who submitted nominations for this year’s award! We are always inspired to see, hear, and read about the exceptional work being done by community members!